The only thing that now stands between Newport being included in the region's future name is more non-Black and Ambers' fans buying up season tickets than their Gwent city counterparts.

Ironically, those fans prepared to shell out their hard-earned cash will not be able to vote on the issue until the actual pantomime season is over.

Moffett's first reaction when told of the ballot summed up the whole farce, the WRU group chief executive responded with disbelieving laughter.

Moffett stated, "We want the regions to be successful and successful as soon as possible. So we will wait and see for the outcome of this latest twist in the tale of the Gwent Dragons.

"I always said the issue of naming the regions was for themselves and only got involved because of an approach from two sides that could not agree. One suggested a name with Newport in it. The other proposed a name without Newport in it and I gave it the name Gwent Dragons. But there we go."

Russell said he would now be scaling back his involvement in the new team.

"That means reducing the amount of time I am putting in. It is not a money issue. I am simply getting my life back," said the manager of rock band Oasis.

"The Newport board have come up with a very good set of initiatives, one of which is a joint season-ticket issue involving Gwent Dragons and Newport RFC.

"I am happy to support that initiative."

However, perhaps the final word should go to a man caught in the middle of the situation, Dragons chief executive David Jenkins.

"In hindsight, it's impossible to deny that we have not made mistakes along the way," said Jenkins.

"And yes, it is a bit embarrassing in certain respects."

It's also worrying for the new regional side. So far, around 500 season tickets have been snapped up by people that thought they'd be backing Gwent Dragons.

At the same time Newport have sold 1,000, leaving around 3,000 Black and Amber season ticket-holders from last season with the carrot of being part of Welsh rugby's new regional future after all.